Well i dropped it off this morning for a clear bra. He was also putting one on a black RX330. He showed me the hood peice he just had finished and it seemed to have an orange peel look to it. My car is Brilliant Silver so maybe it wont show as bad but is this anything to worry about?

 

It must be 3M film. That is one of the reasons I went with LLUMAR - no orange peel feel or look.

 

Yes its 3m. So this normal then?

 

Yes. That's the way 3M makes it. LLUMAR uses a different manufacturing technique that results in a perfectly smooth finish. My wife has yet to find the LLUMAR covering on the car.

 

you wont see it that much on BS. I have 3M + BS. Nobody ever notices it.

 

Yes, 3M / BSF have an orange peel effect to it, but how noticeable is really subjective and also depends on what color vehicle it's on.......most noticeable on black.

Llumar film is the clearest paint protection film on the market, but is more flimsy than the other brands. It will do the job in protecting the paint from rock chips, but if you scrape it w/ as much as your finger nails, it'll leave a scratch mark.

Certified Window Tint & Detailing Specialist
Clearshield / 3M Paint Protection Film Dealer
Madico Window Film Dealer
syu@machiii.net

 

invisiguard is the way too go..clear and on lighter cars..can't see at all.

 

Hey thanks for the good word!=)

Yes 3M, and all other hot extruded films(Avery, Venture, ect.) will have a bit of an 'orange peel' texture which is most noticalbe on darker colors, Llumar is a cast film that does not have this orange peel texture.

But as Wil remarked, Llumar(Venture and Avery also) will scrape easier than 3M since 3M incorporates a clear coat top layer that helps it resist scuffs a bit more. This is why we advise all out customers that it is critical to keep the film waxed regularly since this helps it resist small scuffs and scrapes that much like the orange peel texture, are only a bit noticeable on darker colors.

If anyone has any other questions about paint protection film feel free to drop us a line!
Jeremy
Invisiguard@sbcglobal.net




237390-575hood.JPG

 

Honestly I think if an installer is telling you its normal he may be a little shady.

Is it a common problem with darker cars? Yes. Is it "normal" and thus should be left as is? Hell no. Its happened to a few people here, they went back and got the orange peel piece reinstalled at no cost, and then it went away. The car is a pain to put a clearbra on, but it can be done right.

2004 Twilight Blue Coupe
6 spd
Premium Package
Aero Package